A bill calling for the establishment of a North-East Development Commission has passed second reading in the House of Representatives in Nigeria.

The commission, if established, would manage funds for the rehabilitation of the north-eastern part of Nigeria ravaged by insurgency.

The bill, which is sponsored by the speaker of the House, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, will receive and manage the funds from the Federation Account and international donors for the settlement of victims of insurgency.

It will also take care of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and businesses in the north-east region.

The motion was unanimously supported by lawmakers in the House, who said the commission would help the region just as the Niger Delta Development Commission had helped the Niger Delta region.

Communities in the north-east have been devastated by Boko Haram pushing for the establishment of an Islamic State and an end to western education in the region.

Over 1.5 million persons have been displaced from the north-east region, according to the United Nations High Commission For Refugees.